This includes congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest, irregular heartbeat, angina and chest pain. Those who are overweight have a 70% increased chance in developing cardiovascular disease. This is also because their blood pressure tends to be twice as high and their HDL cholesterol levels (the ‘good’ cholesterol) are much lower.

Stroke

Because of the increase in blood pressure, the chance of a stroke is also very real. Strokes are generally caused by atherosclerosis, which is when the arteries thin.

Type 2 Diabetes

Most people know that being obese increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, the risk of developing this is doubled by carrying just 11 to 18 pounds in extra weight. Those who are obese have a 400% increased chance of developing this disease.

Cancer

Being overweight is related to various types of cancer. Women have double the chance of developing breast cancer after the menopause if they were overweight during adulthood. Other common cancers include kidneys, gallbladder, prostate and colon.

Gall Problems

Various gall problems appear in people who are overweight or obese, with gallstones and gallbladder disease being the most common. The risk of gallstones is fully proportional with the height of a person’s BMI.

Fertility Issues

Overweight women often struggle to fall pregnant. When they do, their babies often have a much higher birth weight, which means a c-section has to be completed in order to deliver the child. Additionally, obese women have a ten times higher chance of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Osteoarthritis

People who are overweight are far more likely to develop osteoarthritis. It is believed that the risk of developing arthritis increases by between 9% and 12% for every two pounds someone gains in weight.

Depression

Depression is caused in obese people in a variety of different ways. Firstly, it is because they often have low self-esteem and low feelings of self-worth. This is because we continue to live in a society that places unrealistic expectations on how we are supposed to look. However, there is also a theory that hormonal changes in an obese person can lead to them becoming depressed. Additionally, people who are obese often become socially isolated, leading to further depression.

Breathing Problems

Because obese people have a lot of extra weight to carry with them, they often get out of breath. In fact, they are often so obese that they are barely able to move at all anymore. When they do move, they get out of breath so quickly that any truly strenuous activity is out of the question. Additionally, many develop sleep apnoea’s, which means they literally forget to breathe during the night.